President of the International Union of Muslim Scholars Unveils Initiative for an International Summit to Stop Gaza Aggression and Establish an Organization to Defend the Oppressed
Sheikh Dr. Ali Al-Qaradaghi, President of the International Union of Muslim Scholars, announced that the union has launched nine initiatives to support Gaza since the beginning of the Israeli aggression on October 7, 2023. Among the key efforts was a proposal for union members to enter Gaza through the Rafah Crossing.
Calls to Support Gaza
In an exclusive statement to "Arabi 21," Al-Qaradaghi expressed the union’s solidarity with the people of Gaza, stating, "We strive to support our brothers in Gaza. If we survive, it is a blessing; if we are martyred, our blood is no more precious than that of our brothers in Gaza."
He lamented the lack of response to implement this initiative, despite efforts to coordinate with Egyptian officials, including former Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry and Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Ahmed El-Tayeb, as well as with Ismail Haniyeh, before his martyrdom.
In a surprising revelation, Al-Qaradaghi noted that the union had received a response from a site affiliated with Israel's Ministry of Defense, offering to receive the union members. However, he firmly rejected this proposal, declaring, "We bury you; you cannot bury us except by God's will."
International Relief Efforts
The union also initiated efforts to secure 50 ships loaded with food and medicine for Gaza. These efforts included international tours to countries such as Indonesia, Malaysia, and Turkey. Unfortunately, the initiative failed due to the refusal of participating countries to provide protection for the ships, fearing potential confrontations with Israeli forces.
Proposal for an International Summit
Al-Qaradaghi outlined a third major initiative: a proposal to convene an international summit involving 140 countries opposed to the genocide in Gaza. The summit aims to establish a global humanitarian organization dedicated to defending the rights of the oppressed, drawing inspiration from historical examples such as the "Hilf al-Fudul" alliance in pre-Islamic Arabia and the Non-Aligned Movement founded by Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser.
Despite the union’s efforts, Al-Qaradaghi expressed regret over the lack of effective responses from some Arab and Islamic leaders.
Role of the Scholars' Union
Highlighting the limitations of the union’s capabilities, Al-Qaradaghi emphasized that the International Union of Muslim Scholars operates as a humanitarian and civil society organization, lacking political or military leverage.
He noted that the union has done its utmost through scholarly efforts, fatwas, statements, and public mobilization campaigns to support Gaza. These efforts included encouraging donations, dedicating Friday sermons to Gaza, and organizing relief initiatives to aid the Palestinian people.
This reflects the union’s steadfast commitment to advocating for justice and supporting the oppressed in the face of ongoing challenges.